Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles, or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up tine, supply it with one gender of herbs, or distract it with many, either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry, why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills.
In this quote from Othello, Shakespeare emphasizes the concept of self-determination and the influence of personal choices on one's character and life. He uses the metaphor of a garden to illustrate how our bodies and lives can be cultivated by our own will. We have the agency to decide what to nurture or neglect, drawing a parallel between our inner desires and the external results they produce.
Shakespeare suggests that just as a gardener chooses which plants to grow, we can shape our lives through our intentions and efforts. Whether we choose to cultivate positive traits or allow negativity to take root lies within us. This underscores the idea that personal growth and development are ultimately governed by our will and actions, empowering us to take charge of our own destinies.
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